33. Ron Hextall

Hextall became the second goalie to win the Conn Smythe Trophy despite playing for the losing team. In 1987, as a rookie, he had an outstanding playoff performance; helping the Flyers push the Oilers to the brink of elimination.

Just like Crozier, his career took a dip after the 1986-87 season but he was rejuvenated when traded to the Quebec Nordiques in 1992. In 1997, Ron made another cup appearance in his second stint with the Flyers.

30. Tim Kerr

Kerr scored 50 or more goals in four straight seasons. He was a power forward who liked to park him self in front of the net and get the garbage goals.

Tim was the best; better than Dino Ciccarelli and Dave Andreychuk. The difference is that his career was shortened by nagging injuries caused from the constant bombardment that he endured in front of the opposing goal.

But he managed to squeeze two cup finals out of 13 seasons; many shortened by injuries.

Kerr would definitely be ranked higher if he had as long a career as Ciccerelli or Andreychuk. Maybe he wouldn’t even be on this list.

27. Brian Propp

Propp didn’t have any luck when it comes to the Stanley Cup. He made it to the finals five times with three different teams (the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980, 1985, 1987; the Boston Bruins in 1990; and the Minnesota North Stars in 1991).

His closest opportunity came in 1987 when the Flyers pushed the Oilers to seven extraordinary games. Brian was one of the best complete players of the 1980’s.

25. Bernie Nicholls

Nicholls was a great scorer even before Gretzky settled in Los Angeles; the Great One just made him even better. The first five teams he played for all either won the cup or made it to the finals during his career.

The problem is that Bernie played for them when they didn’t complete this feat. He played a lot of playoff games but he never made to the big show.

24. Eddie Giacomin

Giacomin was late bloomer but settled in as one of the best goaltenders in NHL history. He fought really hard to back into hockey after a career ending accident as a teenager. Eddie became one of the most beloved players in Rangers history and that’s a hard achievement to attain. An even more difficult accomplishment is winning the Stanley Cup and the 1972 finals is the closest that Giacomin came to a championship

19. Cam Neely

Neely is another player whose ranking is affected because he only played in 13 seasons; most were considerably shortened by injury. Cam is possibly the first genuine power forward in the league.

He was big, strong, and he had a knack for scoring goals. As a three time 50 goal scorer he would administer devastating body checks. Neely missed two opportunities to win the cup (1988 and 1990) and both came against the Oilers.

12. Mike Gartner

Gartner’s misfortunes with the cup are well documented as he was traded to from the Minnesota North Stars to the New York Rangers at the 1990 trade deadline.

One year later, the North Stars went to the finals before losing to Pittsburgh in six games.

Mike was traded from the Rangers to the Toronto Maple Leafs at the 1994 trade deadline for Glenn Anderson. Although the Leafs made it as far as the Western Conference finals, the Rangers won the Stanley Cup.

9. Michel Goulet

Goulet is one of the top goal scorers in NHL history but he never a championship. In 16 seasons with the Quebec Nordiques and Chicago Blackhawks, his closest attempt came in 1992 when Chicago lost the cup in four games to Pittsburgh.

Regular Season

Games: 1089
Goals: 548
Assists: 604
Points: 1152

Playoffs

Games: 92
Goals: 39
Assists: 39
Points: 78

Awards

First All-Star Team Left Wing (1984, 1986, 1987)
Second All-Star Team Left Wing (1983, 1988)
Hockey Hall Fame Inductee (1998)

8. Jean Rattelle

Ratelle played for 22 seasons without winning a cup. He managed to reach the finals once with the Rangers (1972) and twice with the Bruins (1977 and 1978).

It took a few years for Jean to crack the Rangers lineup, but he became a regular in the late 1960’s. He is considered one of the most gentlemanly players in NHL history with only 276 penalty minutes in 1281 games.